Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Goa
Panaji, Aug 11: The British government in its recent advisory has warned its travelers visiting India about the increasing terror attacks in the country.
"Since July 2006 there have been terrorist attacks in major cities including Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad," the advisory updated on August seven, 2008, states.
The advisory has taken strong note of the high threat of terrorism throughout India.
"Attacks have targeted public places, including places of worship. They could also target places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers; most recently in Ahmadabad and Bangalore," it reads.
As per India tourism figures around six lakh Britons visit India annually. "While mot of these visits are trouble-free, 1,506 british nationals required consular assistance in India between April 01, 206 to March 31, 2007," the advisory mentions.
The advisory which is timed two months ahead of the formal tourist season in Goa, has a special mention for this coastal tourist state which saw bad press back in UK after the teenager Scarlett Eden Keeling was allegedly drugged, raped and left to die on Goa's popular beach.
Goa attracts around four lakh foreign tourists, of which more than 50 per cent are UK nationals, who have even purchased properties in the coastal state.
"You should take the same precautions as you would in any other coastal resort, be it in Europe or elsewhere in Asia. There have been reports of drinks being spiked and travellers, including British nationals, subsequently being robbed, sexually assaulted or dying," the advisory mentions.
"In 2007, 40 British nationals died in Goa up to ten of these deaths were attributed to drug or alcohol abuse," it reads.
The UK government has also advised its citizens to avoid beaches after darkness where they run a risk of being attacked by packs of stray dogs, being robbed or sexually assaulted.
It has also cautioned its citizen from walking alone in isolated spots in the popular tourist areas, particularly after dark.
Importantly, the female travellers are advised to observe and respect local dress and customs and to take particular care, the advisory adds.